Davis Cup Djokovic sends Serbia into semi-finals against Italy

(Málaga) World No.1 Novak Djokovic qualified Serbia for the Davis Cup semi-finals against Italy, easily beating Cameron Norrie (18^e) 6-4, 6-4 in the second singles against Great Britain, Wednesday in Malaga.

In this last quarter-final, Miomir Kecmanovic (55^e) had brought the first point to the Serbs at the start of the evening against the British, deprived of Andy Murray. He had defeated Jack Draper (60^e), 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (8/6) after two hours of match.

Serbia will therefore face Italy on Saturday, who beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the afternoon. Less than a week after the ATP Masters in Turin, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner will meet for a third time. If the Serb had easily dominated the Italian in the final (6-3, 6-3), the latter had beaten him in the group match 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/ 2).

“I had a lot of responsibility for this match, especially after a long season […] I’m happy to get it over with after two singles […] Italy is very solid, we will fight. We’re going to give it our all,” declared Djokovic, relieved not to have to fight it out right after in the doubles, which was ultimately canceled.

If the first singles between Kecmanovic and Draper was a standoff, the second was calmly managed by Djokovic, despite the fatigue felt “in the legs”, conceded the Serb, just a few days after his success in Turin.

“Big goal”

His demonstration against Norrie confirmed the very good form of the man who has just had a seventh success at the Paris Masters 1000 as well as at the ATP Masters and who is experiencing his 400^e week in place of world No.1.

The Serb quickly broke in the first set, thanks to a backhand volley placed out of reach of his opponent. He maintained his lead to win the first set 6-4.

From the start of the second set, Djokovic seized his opponent’s throw-in. Unlike the long rallies seen during the first singles, the exchanges often quickly turned to the advantage of the world No.1, even if Norrie sometimes raised his level of play.

“Djoko” concluded the second set 6-4 as well, thanks to three aces in the last game.

The Serbian, already winner of the Davis Cup in 2010, made this competition “one of his biggest objectives” during this already exceptional season. In 2023, “Nole” won three new Grand Slam titles (Australia, Roland-Garros, US Open), bringing his total to 24, an absolute record for men.

The final will pit the winner of Italy-Serbia on Sunday against that of the other semi-final scheduled for Friday between Finland, defeater of Canada, defending champion, and Australia, finalist last year and victorious over the Czech Republic. .